What's up with fans being fans of players first, franchises second?

[NuggetsFan]

Fans being fans of players first, franchises second?. Seems like there's tons of people who follow players first and only blame stuff on there teammates and really only care how that player does. Kobe with L.A fans. LeBron with all the people who followed him from Cleveland to Miami. Even with not as popular players like Melo who alot of people switched from Denver to NY. On the internet seems to be guy's who simply just follow around young stars such as Beasley(only a few lol) and Mayo(not so much anymore but when he first entered the league).

Not hating on it, but I just don't understand it. For the most part franchises are around for your entire life. Clearly some exceptions with relocation but for the most part. Players get traded, sign elsewhere, retire. Just don't understand why you'd only want to root for one player in a team sport, where tons of things effect it. Even when your a fan of a team first, player second it can cloud things(Ex. Me with Lawson, not becoming to keen on Felton) so couldn't imagine how much it would it would effect your judgement if you only really wanted one player to succeed first and foremost.

So guess my questions to fans that just root for a player first, team second would be

- What do you do when said player get's hurt or retires? Just pick a new one?
- If he get's traded or signs elsewhere is it just as simple as picking a new favorite player and becoming a fan of the team he plays on?.
- What made you decide to do it?
- Are you loyal to that player no matter what? Like that StroShow guy. Or do you wait for a good player, that's legit?

Once again, not hating on it. Just can't understand the concept really.

[ballerz]

bandwagon fans. half of cavs fans have became heat fans since lebron has switched teams

[Mr. Jabbar]

Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.

[Harion]

ehh? the sport is international. not everyone lives in the US. so naturally, ppl living outside the US will have no "home team" to support. making these fans "player fans" first before "team fans."

i've been a kings fan, blazers, suns, cavs, and now miami fan.

[NuggetsFan]

ehh? the sport is international. not everyone lives in the US. so naturally, ppl living outside the US will have no "home team" to support. making these fans "player fans" first before "team fans."

Guess this makes some sense. Still tho, those players wouldn't be "home" players to support, unless you were from the same spot(Dirk, Germany) so it's kinda the same. Only difference is you'd have to change teams up, find a new player once he was out of the league instead of just sticking the same thing through out the years.

Good point tho.

[Mr. Jabbar]

lebrons "mobile" fanbase is the sports lowest form of bandwagoning

[NuggetsFan]

Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.

Yet to be seen. If L.A goes into the lottery the next few years, Kobe retires. Can't see everybody staying on board. Maybe tho since L.A is like the best or second best franchise out there.

Anyways wasn't trying to call out anybody or any team player specifically. Just used some examples. I was actually looking for self admitted player fans, to see what there take on it was.

[Mr. Jabbar]

Yet to be seen. If L.A goes into the lottery the next few years, Kobe retires. Can't see everybody staying on board. Maybe tho since L.A is like the best or second best franchise out there.

Anyways wasn't trying to call out anybody or any team player specifically. Just used some examples. I was actually looking for self admitted player fans, to see what there take on it was.

I see. Anyway, to answer the question, which has been made many times, and by me too; I think player fans are mostly younger fellas who are in search of a "hero" or idolize icons too much. Can't think of a grown up man bouncing around NBA teams along with their favorite player.

[The Macho Man]

If you didn't have a team that you rooted for growing up that you have a connection to it's easier to connect and pull for a person than a uniform.

[Mr. Jabbar]

players come and go Franchises are forever. (no pun intended Seattle fans)

[Harion]

Guess this makes some sense. Still tho, those players wouldn't be "home" players to support, unless you were from the same spot(Dirk, Germany) so it's kinda the same. Only difference is you'd have to change teams up, find a new player once he was out of the league instead of just sticking the same thing through out the years.

Good point tho.
just imagine the sudden dispersal of Chinese basketball fans from rooting for the Rockets to being "teamless" now that Yao is gone. same thing.

[cleveland]

ehh? the sport is international. not everyone lives in the US. so naturally, ppl living outside the US will have no "home team" to support. making these fans "player fans" first before "team fans."

this is actually stupid. whos even talking about fans outside of america, we have a population of 300+ milion, lets focus on those fans that have a home team but still follow one player. hell, i'll even go as far as saying that outsider fanbase is more loyal to franchises than inside the states fanbase, with "home teams" to cheer for. europeans for example will stick w their team for life, no matter how good bad or what not happens to it. same w nba, a european kid that was growing up in the jordan era will still be a bulls folower to this day. while in america that kid is probably a "lakers" fan now.
btw so u gota have a "home team" to support a franchise? i bet 90% of lakers fans arent even from la. and no, it is a discrace to the league that certain players have way more fanbase then franchises. we as americans have alowed that because of all the advertisements n attention being thrown onto one player instead of a team. thats the only reason, nba made the league into a superstar league instead of a franchise leage. hell the only real franchise left standing with a serious loyal fanbase in the nba are the boston celtics... maybe even new york but thats a BIG maybe. everything else is just shit... all FAKE

[BarberSchool]

They're either from some backwater area with no squad, or they followed the player since college/etc, or they share some other thing with the player (nationality, from the same city, etc)

[Heat007]

this is actually stupid. whos even talking about fans outside of america, we have a population of 300+ milion,

No, you're stupid. We are not sitting around a table at some american bar having a few drinks talking about basketball.

we're on the internet and that gets into the BILLIONS around the world.

[nashwade]

i think it goes something like this... you can either like Star Wars and watch every Star Wars movie or you can like Carrie Fisher and watch all her movies (in which case you will not bother with Epi 1-3)

you can't say which one is right or wrong

[alenleomessi]

im young, i just started watching nba few years ago and im not from usa
i can see myself cheering for the clippers in years to come if they dont screw up the team
if not, i will continue being fan of young players and watch the game for fun, unlike soccer where my week is fu*ked up if barca lose ( thanks god it doesnt happen often)

[BarberSchool]

im young, i just started watching nba few years ago and im not from usa
i can see myself cheering for the clippers in years to come if they dont screw up the teamPlease don't let Donald Tokowitz rain on your parade. He will ruin the Clippers' current potential (and his own long term profitability), with his own short term selfishness and short term greed. Please continue to love the game even after that piece of Scum squanders everything Blake Griffin has gifted to him.

[Clutch]

ehh? the sport is international. not everyone lives in the US. so naturally, ppl living outside the US will have no "home team" to support. making these fans "player fans" first before "team fans."

i've been a kings fan, blazers, suns, cavs, and now miami fan.
Not everyone.
For example I support the Knicks and I will support them no matter who plays for them.I also know a few people like me.
But I also know a lot of people who are "players fans" and they cheer either for the strongest or for the team with their favorite player.

[ballerz]

i'm from australia yet i dont support the bucks but i do like bogut as a player

[QuebecBaller]

I've become a players fan when my favorite team disappeared (The Seattle Sonics). Since then, there's no team that I like more than the others :(

[markymark]

I've become a players fan when my favorite team disappeared (The Seattle Sonics). Since then, there's no team that I like more than the others :(

Ditto. Seattle's demise has turned me into a player fan.

[Durantula35]

I'm a fan of players, not teams. I watch the NBA to see good or great players do their thing. If the top 30 players went to Europe, I'd watch less NBA and more Euroball.

I don't like to waste my time watching a crappy franchise struggle just because they happen to be nearby.

I don't have a "favorite" player that I follow and root for. I have several players that I support. I generally cheer for the more entertaining player or team. The NBA is supposed to be entertainment and that's what I focus on - being entertained.

[Killbot]

Like the others have said, since the demise of the Sonics, I have become more of a players fan.

But I might very well become a fan of the team if the player retires with that team (not being a journeyman).

[InfiniteBaskets]

I guarantee there are more posters here who are fans of teams than of players. It's just due to the heavy amount of player VS player comparison threads and posts that skews the perspective.

[chris2010]

im a lakers fan 1st. player fan 2nd. but kobe is my favorite player. er well was idk lately ive been sick of watching him play. But he will likely be my favorite player till the day he retires

[Gotterdammerung]

Being a fan of players as opposed to teams, I'm guilty as charged. Probably has to do with my nomadic life growing up, and my family being immigrants (which means I had to develop a love for the game by myself). I enjoy the game because of the great players, not because I happen to be born in a city, and that city has a basketball team I absolutely must root for. I never understood that logic, but that's the convention. Right now I live in LA, and while I did root for the Lakers when Magic played, I stopped rooting for them since 1991.

However, I'm not a fan of a player to the logic you lay out, to the exclusion of the player's team or to the detriment of any other player of the same position. That's infantile reasoning 99% of fans are crippled with. Now, to your questions:


- What do you do when said player get's hurt or retires? Just pick a new one?
I actually have several favorite players. I follow their teams and I learn how they are great or weak in different areas, how they can help or hurt their teams, etc., etc.


- If he get's traded or signs elsewhere is it just as simple as picking a new favorite player and becoming a fan of the team he plays on?.
I started following the NBA seriously in 1991. By then I chose Clyde Drexler as my #1 favorite player, and Hakeem Olajuwon as #2. I didn't know who to root for in 1994, when the Rockets beat the Blazers in the 1st round. Once the Rockets traded for Clyde, I was in 7th heaven. Probably similar to what a fan of the Houston Rockets would feel like. But once Clyde retired, & Hakeem declined and was traded (?) I stopped following the Rockets. By then I had a new favorite player: Tim Duncan and eventually by 2003, Ginobili. The Spurs have been my favorite team by default, but once Duncan retires and Ginobili leaves, they're just another team.


- What made you decide to do it?
The fact that the game is made great by great players, not by some random team you're assigned to by birth. Having a personal choice makes your favorite player all the more meaningful than rooting for some team by tradition and by fate. To me, at least. :violin:

- Are you loyal to that player no matter what? Like that StroShow guy. Or do you wait for a good player, that's legit?
I'm more of a great player fan. If that player declines suddenly, then he's just another player in my eyes collecting a check. :sleeping


Don't blame you for not understanding it. But because you are not able to conceive of a different way of growing up and enjoying the game, you cannot claim yours to be the correct one. Loyalty is overrated, and simply for fools, IMO. :hammerhead:

[Rake2204]

i think it goes something like this... you can either like Star Wars and watch every Star Wars movie or you can like Carrie Fisher and watch all her movies (in which case you will not bother with Epi 1-3)

you can't say which one is right or wrong
I was going to use the movie analogy as well. I'm not a fan of basketball for the sake of loyalty, so I don't need to be a fan of a specific team, per se. That said, I just happen to have grown up with the Detroit Pistons, so I'm a huge Pistons fan. I don't need them, but it's a ton of fun following them, feeling enriched by their success and feeling down when they fail.

Conversely, I've also been fans of individual players. Even if the Pistons inexplicably moved to Montana and I cut all ties, I'd still be able to find joy in NBA basketball. I was a huge David Robinson fan in the 90's and subsequently, I was a Spurs fan. When he retired though, I sort of lost interest in San Antonio.

Similarly, I had a ton of fun watching Vince Carter play. I was a fan of his because he was exciting and entertaining. I was a fan of LeBron James because there was an intriguing storyline of a hometown kid steamrolling the league seemingly on his own. That's really the long and short of it. I don't really see how people could go wrong either way (fans of teams or individuals - or both). For me, it's about fun and entertainment; they both come via home team success and individual favorite player accomplishments.

[brandowas]

Being a fan of players as opposed to teams, I'm guilty as charged. Probably has to do with my nomadic life growing up, and my family being immigrants (which means I had to develop a love for the game by myself). I enjoy the game because of the great players, not because I happen to be born in a city, and that city has a basketball team I absolutely must root for. I never understood that logic, but that's the convention. Right now I live in LA, and while I did root for the Lakers when Magic played, I stopped rooting for them since 1991.

However, I'm not a fan of a player to the logic you lay out, to the exclusion of the player's team or to the detriment of any other player of the same position. That's infantile reasoning 99% of fans are crippled with. Now, to your questions:


I actually have several favorite players. I follow their teams and I learn how they are great or weak in different areas, how they can help or hurt their teams, etc., etc.


I started following the NBA seriously in 1991. By then I chose Clyde Drexler as my #1 favorite player, and Hakeem Olajuwon as #2. I didn't know who to root for in 1994, when the Rockets beat the Blazers in the 1st round. Once the Rockets traded for Clyde, I was in 7th heaven. Probably similar to what a fan of the Houston Rockets would feel like. But once Clyde retired, & Hakeem declined and was traded (?) I stopped following the Rockets. By then I had a new favorite player: Tim Duncan and eventually by 2003, Ginobili. The Spurs have been my favorite team by default, but once Duncan retires and Ginobili leaves, they're just another team.


The fact that the game is made great by great players, not by some random team you're assigned to by birth. Having a personal choice makes your favorite player all the more meaningful than rooting for some team by tradition and by fate. To me, at least. :violin:

I'm more of a great player fan. If that player declines suddenly, then he's just another player in my eyes collecting a check. :sleeping


Don't blame you for not understanding it. But because you are not able to conceive of a different way of growing up and enjoying the game, you cannot claim yours to be the correct one. Loyalty is overrated, and simply for fools, IMO. :hammerhead:

No offense dude but you'll never know how it feels for your team to win a championship, or even just do well. You just float around to whichever team or player is hot right now or you like, obviously picking the good ones and leaving those that don't perform. If you don't suffer with a team and have a bond with fellow fans you'll never know what that really feels like to finally make it. And representing a local team is representing you're area and pride in general. Anyone can just pick the best teams and have their teams win that way. You only really experience the payoff if you go through every high and low with them. I wouldn't of even said anything but you're talking down to us like you're way is so much better and we don't understand. I think you don't get it.

[JustinJDW]

I guarantee there are more posters here who are fans of teams than of players. It's just due to the heavy amount of player VS player comparison threads and posts that skews the perspective.This.

I'm a Spurs fan before anything else, but I never really had to experience big players moving and the franchise changing drastically, since the Spurs have kept the same core forever now. I don't know what shits gonna be like in a few years though. I'm trying to imagine myself watching a Spurs game with Timmy, Manu and Pop all retired, and Tony probably traded. Seems like some Twilight zone shit man. The hell? Who's gonna be o the ****ing team? :oldlol:

[Gotterdammerung]

No offense dude but you'll never know how it feels for your team to win a championship, or even just do well. You just float around to whichever team or player is hot right now or you like, obviously picking the good ones and leaving those that don't perform. If you don't suffer with a team and have a bond with fellow fans you'll never know what that really feels like to finally make it.
Actually this is incorrect.

I suffered the highs and the lows of following the Rockets for about 5 years, from 1993 to 1998. I followed them during Hakeem's prime, and by extension the success/failure of the team. I went through the same ribbing and boasting vs friends who were fans of other teams, rivals of the Rockets, and when they won the title, it was the happiest I've ever been. Sure, I had zero ties to the city, but you gotta take my history in account. A frigging vagabond, with no basketball city until i moved to LA and Magic immediately retires. Yeah right. Gonna follow a suck-ass team who can't play.

On the other hand, you're partially right. I don't have that fan syndrome anymore. It doesn't hurt as much when the Spurs lose. At the same time, when they win, it doesn't hit home as much. That's fine with me, because I enjoy the game more than my own identity, or ego that happens to be linked to some random team of the city/area I happen to be born in. I know more about the game than almost every other Lakers fan I meet, and I don't suffer from their homerism.

There's another reason: gambling. Bottom line, you can't bet on your favorite team, but thanks to fans from LA, the Vegas line of every LA sports team is inflated and easy pickings. :oldlol:

Sorry if that comes off as condescending, which wasn't my intention, but just my personal view and a clear example of a different way of enjoying the game.


And representing a local team is representing you're area and pride in general. Anyone can just pick the best teams and have their teams win that way. You only really experience the payoff if you go through every high and low with them. I wouldn't of even said anything but you're talking down to us like you're way is so much better and we don't understand. I think you don't get it.
Actually I did get it. Then I stopped playing the game and graduated from the merry go around. There's a new ride called bumper cars - you can even change cars on your next ride! :hammerhead:

Basically: players are free agents. Fans can be, too, but I guess a long history of tradition and comfortable convention are roadblocks for most of us to get this. :confusedshrug:

[brandowas]

Actually this is incorrect.

I suffered the highs and the lows of following the Rockets for about 5 years, from 1993 to 1998. I followed them during Hakeem's prime, and by extension the success/failure of the team. I went through the same ribbing and boasting vs friends who were fans of other teams, rivals of the Rockets, and when they won the title, it was the happiest I've ever been. Sure, I had zero ties to the city, but you gotta take my history in account. A frigging vagabond, with no basketball city until i moved to LA and Magic immediately retires. Yeah right. Gonna follow a suck-ass team who can't play.

On the other hand, you're partially right. I don't have that fan syndrome anymore. It doesn't hurt as much when the Spurs lose. At the same time, when they win, it doesn't hit home as much. That's fine with me, because I enjoy the game more than my own identity, or ego that happens to be linked to some random team of the city/area I happen to be born in. I know more about the game than almost every other Lakers fan I meet, and I don't suffer from their homerism.

There's another reason: gambling. Bottom line, you can't bet on your favorite team, but thanks to fans from LA, the Vegas line of every LA sports team is inflated and easy pickings. :oldlol:

Sorry if that comes off as condescending, which wasn't my intention, but just my personal view and a clear example of a different way of enjoying the game.


Actually I did get it. Then I stopped playing the game and graduated from the merry go around. There's a new ride called bumper cars - you can even change cars on your next ride! :hammerhead:

Basically: players are free agents. Fans can be, too, but I guess a long history of tradition and comfortable convention are roadblocks for most of us to get this. :confusedshrug:

Rooting for the Rockets from 93-98, and then the Spurs in the 2000's isnt exactly experiencing the lows. Both those teams were dominant and won multiple championships, made playoffs every year etc...

So would you root for France in the Olympics if you liked those players than those from the US team? According to you, you should because what's the point in random loyalty. Why don't you kill your dog every 3 years and get a new puppy because it's cuter? Sorry I understand that you like to just root for the best teams and players, but I just don't get how that's fulfilling. To each his own though. :cheers:

[8BeastlyXOIAD]

Thanks for the Shout-Out:cheers: :cheers:

[Gotterdammerung]

Rooting for the Rockets from 93-98, and then the Spurs in the 2000's isnt exactly experiencing the lows. Both those teams were dominant and won multiple championships, made playoffs every year etc...
At the same time Hakeem Olajuwon suffered difficult losses like that 7 game series vs the Sonics in 1993, where a iffy call favored the Sonics in overtime in Game 7. I was so mad. Then in 1995, I doubt anyone who had the luck to support a team that won the title went through as many highs and lows in ONE FRIGGING PLAYOFF RUN. If you don't know what happened, then shut yer trap.

The Spurs got wiped out by the Lakers in 2001, and 2002. Had to put up with the jeering and sneering Lakers fan for a long while, and got them good in 2003. 2004, had to eat crow after going up 2-0 again.

While there were wins, there were losses, blank outs, and first round eliminations just like any other team. :confusedshrug:


So would you root for France in the Olympics if you liked those players than those from the US team?
Nah cuz the French suck. Although I was partial to Argentina in 2004. :hammerhead:

[Papaya Petee]

Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Big#50]

Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.
Not sure if serious.

[d.bball.guy]

No, you're stupid. We are not sitting around a table at some american bar having a few drinks talking about basketball.

we're on the internet and that gets into the BILLIONS around the world.
Owned.

[d.bball.guy]

Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.
I already counted more than 5. I won't name those stans.

[Magic Vinsanity]

I'm an Orlando Magic fan. If Howard leaves, I'll be an Orlando Magic fan, I dont follow players to other teams. Thats band wagon bullshit!

[allabouthawks]

ehh? the sport is international. not everyone lives in the US. so naturally, ppl living outside the US will have no "home team" to support. making these fans "player fans" first before "team fans."

i've been a kings fan, blazers, suns, cavs, and now miami fan.

i dont have a home team

obv i liked the players hawks had/hav but i wouldnt be changing if they left

[blablabla]

i am a knicks fan
started watching the nba regularly in 2007 they sucked that year but that didn't matter because I loved watching them and it's crazy how much the team changed in 4years i don't think there is one player left from the 07roster but that's good because we are a playoff team and have a great future if we don't screw it up

i also understand guys who can't identify with a team and follow one player but i don't think it's as satisfying as being a franchise fan first

[d.bball.guy]

I'm an Orlando Magic fan. If Howard leaves, I'll be an Orlando Magic fan, I dont follow players to other teams. Thats band wagon bullshit!
While for me, I'm a Laker fan and my favorite player is Kobe so I'll still follow Kobe if he goes to a different team but my heart will belong to the Lakers if he retires. :">:lol

[Jasper]

Quite frankly I understand what the OP is stating , but I am happy to have a forum with fans that appreciate the game , just by following a few players or player.

I stated yesterday , that more posters on this forum , need to follow about 5 players in a few game span and just watch them.

You can then see how versatile or out of balance they look to the game it's self or to their team.

Obviously it is great to follow a team or teams , but to thoroughly understand the game as well as SUPER STARS - watch them play with , without the ball , and defense , besides all transitions of the game.
(Including inbounds passes and free throws)

MJ was a thief at picking pockets during inbounds passes as well as free throws missed.. it helped me to see his genius.

[Gallant]

I always put teams before players. Jumping from one player to another reeks of shiny new toy syndrome and just following the crowd when they all bandwagon some new player that comes in the league and is expected to be great. In the case of Lebron, its like a bunch of groupies following a rockstar all over the country and its rather pathetic.

[G-train]

It's easy for the player fans. They followed Jordan then he retired so they followed Kobe. Kobe bacame a b!tch so they followed Lebron, or if they were b!tches themselves they kept following Kobe. In 10 years they will switch to somebody else.

Begs the question, where will the Kobe b!tches be in 3 years?

http://i45.tinypic.com/al4shi.gif

[comerb]

the NBA is a players league

[Rysio]

It's easy for the player fans. They followed Jordan then he retired so they followed Kobe. Kobe bacame a b!tch so they followed Lebron, or if they were b!tches themselves they kept following Kobe. In 10 years they will switch to somebody else.

Begs the question, where will the Kobe b!tches be in 3 years?

http://i45.tinypic.com/al4shi.gif
wut

[ILLsmak]

Fans being fans of players first, franchises second?. Seems like there's tons of people who follow players first and only blame stuff on there teammates and really only care how that player does. Kobe with L.A fans. LeBron with all the people who followed him from Cleveland to Miami. Even with not as popular players like Melo who alot of people switched from Denver to NY. On the internet seems to be guy's who simply just follow around young stars such as Beasley(only a few lol) and Mayo(not so much anymore but when he first entered the league).

Not hating on it, but I just don't understand it. For the most part franchises are around for your entire life. Clearly some exceptions with relocation but for the most part. Players get traded, sign elsewhere, retire. Just don't understand why you'd only want to root for one player in a team sport, where tons of things effect it. Even when your a fan of a team first, player second it can cloud things(Ex. Me with Lawson, not becoming to keen on Felton) so couldn't imagine how much it would it would effect your judgement if you only really wanted one player to succeed first and foremost.

So guess my questions to fans that just root for a player first, team second would be

- What do you do when said player get's hurt or retires? Just pick a new one?
- If he get's traded or signs elsewhere is it just as simple as picking a new favorite player and becoming a fan of the team he plays on?.
- What made you decide to do it?
- Are you loyal to that player no matter what? Like that StroShow guy. Or do you wait for a good player, that's legit?

Once again, not hating on it. Just can't understand the concept really.

I like players that bring something that I've never seen before. that's why I love Shaq.

It really makes more sense to like a player opposed to a team (especially cuz most fans of teams live in the same area.) At least by liking a player you are being an individual instead of going along with everyone else's cheering for the hometown team. I think you're more of a bandwagon fan to jump on the local bandwagon than you are to, say, enjoy LeBron's game and follow him around.

-Smak

[wakencdukest]

I'm a fan of the game. I'll root for the Lakers over any team, but there's a lot of players I love watching. Back in the mid 90's when the Lakers were at their worst I was still a die hard fan, but Shaq and Kemp were my favorite players, and I wished they were on the Lakers.

[keepinitreal]

Sometimes a fan's favorite team makes the playoffs once every decade and never has a shot of winning the title, but he/she still watches the playoffs.

The playoffs a lot more fun when one has something to cheer for... ie favorite players and/or storylines. Oh, and the NBA loves to sell their stars... I hope none of this is news to you.

Why are people fans of franchises to begin with? How do they become fans of franchises? Millions of people don't live in LA or Pittsburgh, yet they are fans of franchises currently located in those areas.

[cleveland]

No, you're stupid. We are not sitting around a table at some american bar having a few drinks talking about basketball.

we're on the internet and that gets into the BILLIONS around the world.

what? american bar or the internet? ur a idiot. either way... plain n simple

[FindingTim]

I'm from the mountains, so I like random teams- like the early 2000's Kings, the run n' gun Steve Nash Suns, and this years Clippers. For me, it's all about the players, both individually and with compelling groups.

[Lucifer]

Ask LeBron23. Dude has the nerve to call out kobe stans :lol

[NoName22]

Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.

You're right, I won't switch teams, just will no longer bother with the league.

[dillondavis]

:lol
While for me, I'm a Laker fan and my favorite player is Kobe so I'll still follow Kobe if he goes to a different team but my heart will belong to the Lakers if he retires. :">:lol

I'm a laker fan first when, Kobe wanted that traded I was hoping that mitch sent his ass too Toronto (even tho I knew it wasnt gonna happen) even still until this day it still annoys. My thing is if you don't wanna play on my te Deuces. Same goes with shaq thanks for the 3 rings but after he wanted out he became the enemy.

I'm just a huge laker fan 2nd generation so after Kobe I will still be a laker fan. Even if we get swept by dallas lol

[SebasMiamiFan]

I don't get that either. My favorite players are Wade, Zo, and Haslem. :lol

[Rake2204]

I'm a fan of the game. I'll root for the Lakers over any team, but there's a lot of players I love watching. Back in the mid 90's when the Lakers were at their worst I was still a die hard fan, but Shaq and Kemp were my favorite players, and I wished they were on the Lakers.
Right on. It is interesting to see different poster's takes on what a basketball fan should be. Some even seem offended that others may attempt to like the game without suffering through low points and drudgery. I feel there are a million reasons to be a fan of basketball. Seeing players do out-of-this-world things on the court never gets old. I say being a fan of teams, players, performances, whatever. It's all good.

[Glide2keva]

I've been a Bulls fan since I was a kid. I was a Jordan fan before he came to the Bulls because I am a UNC fan and I loved his play at the Olympics in 84. I was happy when he was drafted to the Bulls because I was sick of Reggie Theus and Orlando Woolridge, etc.

I was a Bulls fan then and I was Bulls fan after the second three peat (during the Artest, Brand, Crawford, Mercer, Rose - Jalen -, Duhon, Curry, Chandler, Starks, years.), I love my team and still root for former Bulls to do well no matter where they end up (except for Gordon).

The only player I'm a fan of is Dwyane Wade, partially because I think he's one of the best in the league, and the other part because I grew up with his family.

I'm a Derrick Rose fan because he's from where I'm from (Englewwod), and he made it out of there to be MVP of the league. That's an awesome accomplishment and if you've ever been to Englewood, you'd know why it's such a big deal.

If he leaves the Bulls, I'd still be a fan, but I'm still going to be a Bulls fan.

Period.

[Apocalyptic0n3]

I rode with the Pistons through the teal days, stuck with them through the Glory Years, and I will continue to support them during the "JOE D MUST GO" years. Other than the Tigers (first ever pro game was a Sox game at Fenway, there is no experience like it), I will support Detroit and Michigan teams before all others, even when they are laughingstocks. It makes me sad that so few others do as well. Makes it difficult for real rivalries to form. The Kobe vs. LeBron bullshit is... well, bullshit. I want to see someone do something that sparks a rivalry like the Claude Lemieux hit on Kris Draper in the mid 90's sparked the greatest pro sports rivalry - Avs and Wings.

Until we get people who actually like teams, there is no way this will happen. As soon as the one player leaves, the rivalry ends. The Avs-Wings rivalry survived for years after Lemieux left Colorado. Such a rivalry now is just... unlikely.

[Semi]

The thing with these Player-fans slowly started with the Jordan-hype. Nike helped to bulid a hero to an unbelievabel extend so many guys (often those are younger people) think that Jordan won those championships alone. I think fans who grew up in the 80s you wouldn't find such thing as Player-fans. It started with the idolizing of Jordan and has gone on with Kobe and Lebron. Many guys on this board forget that Basketball is a team-sport.

[d.bball.guy]

The thing with these Player-fans slowly started with the Jordan-hype. Nike helped to bulid a hero to an unbelievabel extend so many guys (often those are younger people) think that Jordan won those championships alone. I think fans who grew up in the 80s you wouldn't find such thing as Player-fans. It started with the idolizing of Jordan and has gone on with Kobe and Lebron. Many guys on this board forget that Basketball is a team-sport.
Yeah. People blame LeBron for quiting last playoffs even though it was not his fault. People think Shaq is the only one who won the Lakers 3 peat but Kobe was an important second option. They say it's a fluke ring because he's a second option which makes everybody else on the team has a fluke ring. Remember, there is no I in TEAM.

[Eat Like A Bosh]

Because great players attract fans, not the franchises themselves.

[GOBB]

Cant think of a laker/kobe fan that would switch teams if kobe is gone from the lakers.

Thats because Kobe never left L.A. Had he left L.a you bet your bottom dollar fans would follow him to his new destination and cheer the new teams on. I've seen it with the Sixers fanbase when Barkley and AI were traded.

Now chances of those fans following Kobe will still be Lakers fans. But on hold.

[Snicklefritz]

I've been a Florida fan since I was a kid. I lived across from Miami now and root for the Heat, but I'll root for the Magic whenever the Heat get knocked out.

In my band we have one Lakers fan and one Celtics fan. The Lakers fan hasn't ever lived in LA, and the Boston fan hasn't ever even been to Boston. Don't get it......

[GOBB]

I've been a Florida fan since I was a kid. I lived across from Miami now and root for the Heat, but I'll root for the Magic whenever the Heat get knocked out.

In my band we have one Lakers fan and one Celtics fan. The Lakers fan hasn't ever lived in LA, and the Boston fan hasn't ever even been to Boston. Don't get it......

And Miami fans living in Florida hardly pay attention to their basketball and baseball franchises. Dont get that.

[BarberSchool]

Please don't let Donald Tokowitz rain on your parade. He will ruin the Clippers' current potential (and his own long term profitability), with his own short term selfishness and short term greed. Please continue to love the game even after that piece of Scum squanders everything Blake Griffin has gifted to him.Didn't think it would end this way....but glad to see I was right back in 2011.

[sammichoffate]

It's the way the NBA model is set up, that's why it's so globalized now. The real fans of a franchise would know the general history of the franchise itself. People like seeing one or two special players rather than five average guys. People like seeing one or two individuals dominate a whole squad tbh, it's the nature of things.
http://p.twimg.com/Avhp0csCQAIBDTw.jpg:large

[CelticBaller]

Fvck bandwagoners

[jimmy77x]

Lebron fans are BETA human beings. That is all.

[Fudge]

Let's bring the party in hereeeeee

LeBeta stans, come in.

[WallIn]

I guarantee there are more posters here who are fans of teams than of players. It's just due to the heavy amount of player VS player comparison threads and posts that skews the perspective.

qft

[ThePhantomCreep]

Player-first fans mostly sit around looking for the next superstar they think is going to win a lot of titles, and when they find him, they cling to his nuts until he retires. That is the LeBron homer personified.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Why does it matter? A fan is a fan. No merits of being one make one person better than the other. Why is rooting for a logo, no matter how it's run better than being a fan of a particular skill set, or bond with an individual player?

[BlkMambaGOAT]

Collusion.


/thread

[tjgoHAM]

because it beats being a fan of a crappy franchise like the nuggets :coleman:

[DMAVS41]

It can happen many ways...

I was a Dallas fan in the 80's...a season ticket holder through the dreadful 90's...

But I'm currently a bigger Dirk fan than a Mavs fan...don't see anything wrong with it.

[NuggetsFan]

Why does it matter? A fan is a fan. No merits of being one make one person better than the other. Why is rooting for a logo, no matter how it's run better than being a fan of a particular skill set, or bond with an individual player?

Old thread, and read the OP. I said I didn't understand it. I don't see why it's so popular. There's no "better" way to watch sports, it's your choice. I've had favorite players, cheered for Melo for a long ass time. Players come and go, teams are around forever.

It's just crazy to me to see Laker fans or Miami fans or whatever team shit on there own players to prop up an individual. To see grown men be so dedicated to another dude and only him like there 14 years old again. You can't deny that alot of NBA fans have a different kinda dedication to individual players.

NFL doesn't happen anywhere near as much, NHL doesn't happen much at all. Don't follow the MLB but would guess it doesn't happen. People shit on there favorite players when they choke in those sports, with the NBA it's all about the player for some people.

Just think it's interesting. Guess the NBA markets the sport different and to see how effective it's been is kinda crazy. They've had alot of success doing it. Seems it started with Jordan. Once again I'm not saying it's worse or I'm not immune or better for it just something I always wondered, well 3 years ago :oldlol: I just don't get it past a certain age. I never understood the Nuggets fans who watched Denver for 7+ years and left with Melo.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Seems it started with Jordan.
It didn't. Magic, Bird, and Doctor J.

[NuggetsFan]

But I'm currently a bigger Dirk fan than a Mavs fan...don't see anything wrong with it.

So do you root for Dirk accomplishments above the team? Would you rather Dirk average 35-12-3 for the finals and lose, or him average 13-7-3 and have a team effort and win? While

I'm NOT saying anything about favorite players. I have those too obviously. What I'm talking about is when somebody cheers for an individual above the team in the sense that they'd rather see them succeed more so than the team, the people who attack teammates, franchises etc.

Not talking about you really. I'm going on a limb that you've followed them for 20+ years and when Dirk retires you'll continue to do so. That 6 years ago if Dirk was traded you would have remained a Mavericks fan and just followed Dirk/cheered for him as well.

[Bl]

players come and go Franchises are forever. (no pun intended Seattle fans)

supersonics

[NuggetsFan]

It didn't. Magic, Bird, and Doctor J.

Nowhere near the same media push, it wasn't available. Jordan had his brand EVERYWHERE. As a kid when I didn't know anything about the NBA really, or could watch games I had tons of Jordan stuff, seen him on everything. The marketing/media MJ push may be the biggest thing we've ever seen in sports. It skyrocketed the NBA.

[The Iron Sheik]

don't understand what's so hard to grasp about liking a player and following them throughout their career hoping they succeed. this is especially true for people who don't live in nba cities. what reason do they have to follow specific franchises?

i like player a. i hope player a plays well and succeeds. pretty simple.

and i don't think anyone likes just 1 player. they probably have multiple players they enjoy watching. then when new players come into the league and they get to see them play they may or may not become fans of them as well.

[Rubio2Gasol]

The NBA is alot more fluid than other sports in my opinion. There's alot of turnover in terms of successful teams, I mean who outside people in Los Angeles or Boston would actually bother to watch LA or Boston this year? For most other sports, sucessful, historic, teams are much more stable.

[Combat Wombat]

List of Heat bandwagon fans:

Lebron23
Silk and his multiple ALTS
pauk and his many alts
Marlo and his many alts
zoom17
ArbitraryWater
J. Shuttlesworth
Trollsmasher
HoopsNumero
Solefade
Keno
TylerOO
NumberSix

[215Philly]

Sixers forever :rockon:

[Solefade]

List of Heat bandwagon fans:

Lebron23
Silk and his multiple ALTS
pauk and his many alts
Marlo and his many alts
zoom17
ArbitraryWater
J. Shuttlesworth
Trollsmasher
HoopsNumero
Solefade
Keno
TylerOO


what's wrong with this?


lebron is an amazing player and he plays the game the right way and seems like a great teammate :confusedshrug:

why wouldn't you be a fan of this guy?

[Milbuck]

http://content.sportslogos.net/logos/6/225/full/r4vbh4fvvsxlczqefifkdgyj5.gif

[jimmy77x]

List of Heat bandwagon fans:

Lebron23
Silk and his multiple ALTS
pauk and his many alts
Marlo and his many alts
zoom17
ArbitraryWater
J. Shuttlesworth
Trollsmasher
HoopsNumero
Solefade
Keno
TylerOO

What these fakkits have in common is they care more about lehgh accomplishments more than the team. They throw anyone they can under the bus to prop of their beta hero.

[Solefade]

What these fakkits have in common is they care more about lehgh accomplishments more than the team. They throw anyone they can under the bus to prop of their beta hero.



and you bandwagon haters keep spewing the same old material over and over every year and then eat crow in june

[moe94]

What these fakkits have in common is they care more about lehgh accomplishments more than the team. They throw anyone they can under the bus to prop of their beta hero.

It's not only LeBron. People here do the same shit with every player. Jordan stans will legit tell you he crafted Pippen. Kobe stans love making Pau seem like an average player who got carried to rings as Kobe rode off into the sunset.

[NuggetsFan]

The NBA is alot more fluid than other sports in my opinion. There's alot of turnover in terms of successful teams, I mean who outside people in Los Angeles or Boston would actually bother to watch LA or Boston this year? For most other sports, sucessful, historic, teams are much more stable.

Huh? Lakers have had a contending team for a decade. Boston had a great team for a nice stretch. Doesn't matter the sport, teams are up and done. I'd actually say in basketball once you get a good team your guaranteed to be in the mix for a long time.

Anyways old thread. Had nothing to do with location/hometown team or my way is better than your way. I was just curious. Wasn't even talking about favorite players, guess it was more about "fanboys". Mostly because in other sports the team on the front of the jersey is more important than it seems to be with NBA. Well NBA online messageboards. I've yet to encounter somebody who was like yeah I only watch LeBron James as an adult. I assume alot of these LeBron James fans say there Heat fans when there in a bar or at a party or just shooting the shit at work.

BTW fans who have cheered for Boston/Lakers first probably still watched the team this year. Celtics have fans worldwide when they had the terrible years before the big 3. Sure there still around waiting to get back to the promiseland.

[smoovegittar]

I see. Anyway, to answer the question, which has been made many times, and by me too; I think player fans are mostly younger fellas who are in search of a "hero" or idolize icons too much. Can't think of a grown up man bouncing around NBA teams along with their favorite player.
I'm in agreement. There were many guys over the years that I've enjoyed watching leave my team. I still root for 'em, but it's the Orange and Blue that matters. Of course, you can be unlucky like me and get lumbered with shitty rosters and stupid owners, but it makes winning that more sweeter.

[Combat Wombat]

what's wrong with this?


lebron is an amazing player and he plays the game the right way and seems like a great teammate :confusedshrug:

why wouldn't you be a fan of this guy?

:facepalm

Nothing wrong with being a fan of a player, but when you claim to have always been a fan of the team they're on (which is what you and all those others listed have done), that is what leads many NBA fans to think of you as a bunch of f@gs living through another persons achievements.

You, along with those listed, are truly some of the most pathetic "fans" to watch basketball

[Horde of Temujin]

Because franchises are owned by scumbags like Dolan, Krause and Sterling

[Solefade]

:facepalm

Nothing wrong with being a fan of a player, but when you claim to have always been a fan of the team they're on (which is what you and all those others listed have done), that is what leads many NBA fans to think of you as a bunch of f@gs living through another persons achievements.

You, along with those listed, are truly some of the most pathetic "fans" to watch basketball


when have i ever claimed i was a long time fan of the miami heat? i'm on record here multiple times saying i've been a lebron fan for a while now :confusedshrug:

but don't get that twisted with i've been only watching bball since lebron joined the heat or something

[poido123]

Fans of players only don't have the guts to be a team fan.

[tmacattack33]

Besides rooting for my home team so that i can see some meaningful nba games in my town, i have never been able to find a reason to root for any one particular team unconditionally.

It has no appeal to me. :confusedshrug: So sue me.

I just root for whichever team has hard working players, or plays an exciting style of ball, or maybe has a cool story to them...For example Portland right now is full of players who went under the radar so i'd love to see them do well. It doesn't matter what color jerseys they are wearing.

[Brokenbeat]

Fans of players only don't have the guts to be a team fan.

They seem to think it's makes them more of a winner or something, lol.

"Oh, he's the best? OK, then he's my favorite right now. Eat crow, losers!"

:biggums:

[HoopsFanNumero1]

You'll find that this is most prominent in Kobe fans. Most of them tend to be be hipsters, and as such they start rooting for any player that has a chance to knock down the Heat because they think it makes them cool. Now that Kobe is no longer relevant, the Kobe camp has split with 50% still defending Kobe's honor, around 10% rooting for Paul George, and the rest hanging off of Durant's balls like they're hanging on for dear life.